U.S. patent application number 10/813231 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-23 for non-inertial release safety restraint belt buckle system.
Invention is credited to Benedict, Charles E..
Application Number | 20040256852 10/813231 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33545285 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040256852 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Benedict, Charles E. |
December 23, 2004 |
Non-inertial release safety restraint belt buckle system
Abstract
Body restraint systems for vehicles that include buckles for
latching and retaining latch plates associated with safety belts.
The buckle of each system includes a pair of oppositely biased
latching mechanisms that are operative in such a manner that a
force applied to release one latching mechanism from a latch plate
inserted within the buckle creates an opposite and equal force
against the opposite latching mechanism to thereby positively
retain the latch plate within the buckle in a locked position.
Release of a latch plate can only occur upon the simultaneous
movement of both of the oppositely biased latching mechanisms
toward one another by application of manual force and thus release
of the latch plate cannot occur by inertial forces that may be
encountered in a vehicular accident.
Inventors: |
Benedict, Charles E.;
(Tallahassee, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DOWELL & DOWELL PC
2111 Eisenhower Ave.
Suite 406
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
33545285 |
Appl. No.: |
10/813231 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10813231 |
Mar 31, 2004 |
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10669381 |
Sep 25, 2003 |
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10813231 |
Mar 31, 2004 |
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10462738 |
Jun 17, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/806 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/4566 20150115;
Y10T 24/45749 20150115; A44B 11/2519 20130101; Y10T 24/45634
20150115; Y10T 24/4567 20150115; A44B 11/2523 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/806 |
International
Class: |
B60R 022/46 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A non-inertial release restraint buckle assembly for a vehicle
having a restraining belt, the buckle assembly comprising; a buckle
including a frame and a housing at least partially covering said
frame, said housing having a front and rear ends and opposite
sides, a latch plate receiving channel defined within said housing,
an opening in said front end of said housing communicating with
said latch plate receiving channel and of a size to receive a latch
plate therein, a latch plate having a pair of spaced locking tongs
including hooked end portions, a pair of latching mechanisms
slidable mounted within said housing so as to be reciprocally
movable in a guide channel defined within said housing and which
extends transversely to a central longitudinal axis of said housing
which extends from said front to said rear ends, biasing means
disposed between said pair of latching mechanisms for urging said
latching mechanisms in opposite directions toward a first outer
locking position wherein said latching mechanisms are engageable
with said locking tongs of said latch plate when said latch plate
is inserted in said housing, release means engageable with said
latching mechanisms for moving said latching mechanisms
simultaneously inwardly towards said central axis of said housing
to a second release position wherein said latching mechanisms are
disengaged from said locking tongs of said latch plate so that said
latch plate may be removed from said buckle housing, and said
biasing means constantly urging said latching mechanisms toward
said first locking position with oppositely directed forces such
that when one of said latching mechanisms is urged toward said
second release position by a force, a simultaneous increase in
force is applied to retain the other latching mechanism in said
first locking position thereof such that said latching mechanisms
are only releaseable upon simultaneous application of forces to
move said latching mechanisms from said first locking position to
said second release position.
2. The non-inertial release restraint buckle assembly of claim 1
including a pair of spaced openings in said housing, a push button
secured to each of said latching mechanisms and extending upwardly
through opposite ones of said openings in said housing such that
said push buttons are in spaced relationship with respect to one
another whereby said push buttons may be urged toward one another
to simultaneously urge said latching mechanisms to said second
release positions.
3. The non-inertial release restraint buckle assembly of claim 2
wherein said housing extends generally slightly above said push
buttons in an area of said spaced openings therein.
4. The non-inertial release restraint buckle assembly of claim 2
wherein each of said latching mechanisms includes a slide block
including an outer tapered face which is engageable by one of said
locking tongs when said latching mechanism is in said first locking
position, said tapered face terminating at a lock dog for engaging
said hooked end portion of one of said locking tongs of said latch
plate.
5. The non-inertial release restraint buckle assembly of claim 4
including a pair of spaced guide blocks mounted in said housing and
defining said guide channel therebetween, and each of said slide
blocks including means for engaging said guide blocks to prevent
said slide blocks from being disengaged from within said guide
channel.
6. The non-inertial release restraint buckle assembly of claim 5
wherein said buckle frame includes a pair of opposing sidewalls
defining opposing channels for receiving said locking tongs therein
when said latch plate is inserted within said opening in said
housing.
7. The non-inertial release restraint buckle assembly of claim 1 in
which said release means for simultaneously moving said latching
mechanisms to said second release position includes a slide release
member including a pair of spaced projections extending into said
housing so as to be selectively engageable with said latching
mechanisms, and said slide release member including a push button
portion selectively manually engageable to urge said slide release
member from a first position to a second position in which said
spaced projections urge said latching mechanisms simultaneously to
said second release position.
8. The non-inertial release restraint buckle assembly of claim 7 in
which said housing includes a domed portion for selectively
receiving said push button when said push button is urged to move
said slide release member to said second position.
9. The non-inertial release restraint buckle assembly of claim 7
wherein said latch plate includes an intermediate tang disposed
between said locking tongs, said tang being moveable intermediate
said latching mechanisms to prevent said latching mechanisms from
moving to said second release positions if an inertial force is
applied to said slide release member and said latching plate to
drive them inwardly of said housing.
10. The non-inertial release restraint buckle assembly of claim 7
in which said buckle frame includes a pair of opposing side walls
defining guide channels for said slide release member, and means
for retaining said slide release member in sliding relationship
within said opposing guide channels.
11. The non-inertial release restraint buckle assembly of claim 10
wherein each of said latching mechanisms includes a slide block
including an outer tapered face which is engageable by one of said
locking tongs when said latching mechanism is in said first locking
position, said tapered face terminating at a lock dog for engaging
said hooked end portion of one of said locking tongs of said latch
plate.
12. The non-inertial release restraint buckle assembly of claim 11
including a pair of spaced guide members mounted in said housing
and defining said guide channel therebetween, and each of said
slide blocks including means for engaging said guide members to
prevent said slide blocks from being disengaged from within said
guide channel.
13. The non-inertial release restraint buckle assembly of claim 12
including a first resilient means mounted between one of said one
guide members and said slide release member for normally urging
said slide release member to its first position.
14. The non-inertial release restraint buckle assembly of claim 13
including second resilient means for urging said latch plate from
said buckle housing when said latching mechanisms are moved to said
second release position.
15. The non-inertial release restraint buckle assembly of claim 12
wherein said latch plate includes an intermediate tang disposed
between said locking tongs, one of said guide members having a slot
defined therein for selectively receiving said tang when said latch
plate is inserted within said housing, said channel in said one of
said guide members being positioned such that said tang is moveable
intermediate said latching mechanisms to prevent said latching
mechanisms from moving to said second release positions if an
inertial force is applied to said slide release member and said
latch plate to drive them inwardly of said housing.
16. The non-inertial release restraint buckle assembly of claim 7
including an inertia lock slidably mounted in said housing
independently of said latch plate, said inertial lock being
moveable intermediate said latching mechanisms to prevent said
latching mechanisms from moving to said second release positions if
an inertial force is applied to said slide release member to drive
said slide release member inwardly of said housing.
17. The non-inertial release restraint buckle assembly of claim 16
including means for resiliently biasing said inertia lock away from
said latching mechanisms.
18. The non-inertial release restraint buckle assembly of claim 12
including an inertia lock slidably mounted in said housing
independently of said latch plate, said inertial lock being
moveable intermediate said latching mechanisms to prevent said
latching mechanisms from moving to said second release positions if
an inertial force is applied to said slide release member to drive
said slide release member inwardly of said housing.
19. The non-inertial release restraint buckle assembly of claim 18
wherein said inertial lock includes a body from which extends a
tang which extends within a slot defined in one of said guide
members, said tang being urged through said slot and intermediate
said latching mechanisms when the inertial force is applied to said
slide release member to drive said slide release member inwardly of
said housing, and resilient means for urging said body away from
said one of said guide member.
20. The non-inertial release restraint buckle assembly of claim 19
including means for guiding said tang with said slot.
21. A method of providing a non-inertial safety restraint system
for vehicles which system includes a latch plate having a pair of
spaced locking tongs, a buckle including housing having an interior
channel for selectively receiving the latch plate and a pair of
oppositely oriented latching mechanisms movable within the housing
from a first locking position engaging the locking tongs of the
latch plate to retain the latch plate within the housing to a
second position to permit insertion and removal of the latch plate
relative to the interior channel of the housing, and wherein at
least one release push button is provided for simultaneously moving
the latching mechanisms to the second release position, the method
including; a) continuously urging the pair of latching mechanisms
to the first locking position thereof by generally equal and
opposite resilient force, b) moving the pair of latching mechanisms
from the first locking position thereof to the second release
position thereof as the latch plate is being inserted within the
housing and such that when the latch plate is fully inserted within
the housing the pair of latching mechanisms are moved to the first
locking position thereof to prevent withdrawal of the latch plate
from the buckle housing, and c) releasing the latch plate from the
pair of latching mechanisms only upon the simultaneous application
of force to each of the latching mechanisms to move them toward one
another within the housing to thereby move them to the second
release position thereof.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of releasing includes
manually urging two oppositely oriented push buttons which are
connected to the pair of latching mechanisms toward one another to
thereby move the pair of latching mechanisms to the second release
position.
23. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of continuously urging
includes providing resilient means between each of the pair of
oppositely oriented latching mechanisms such that any force applied
toward one of the pair of latch mechanisms to move the one of the
pair of latching mechanisms to the second release position applies
an equal force simultaneously to the other of the pair of latching
mechanisms to urge the other of the latching mechanisms to remain
in the first locking position to prevent the latch plate from being
released by inertial forces applied to the buckle.
24. The method of claim 21 including the additional step of
preventing said pair of latching mechanisms from moving toward one
another whenever an inertial force is applied relative to said
housing which would tend to drive said latch plate into said
housing.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a Continuation-in-part application of
application Ser. No. 10/669,381, filed Sep. 25, 2003, entitled
NON-INERTIAL RELEASE SAFETY RESTRAINT BELT BUCKLE SYSTEMS, which is
a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No.
10/462,738, filed Jun. 17, 2003 entitled NON-INERTIAL SAFETY
RESTRAINT BELT BUCKLE SYSTEMS, both in the name of the same
inventor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention is generally directed to vehicle safety
restraint systems including shoulder and lap seat belts and more
particularly to such restraint systems that include a buckle that
houses oppositely biased locking or latching mechanisms that are
operable to resiliently engage locking tongs of a latch plate as a
latch plate is inserted within the buckle. The latching mechanisms
prevent release of the latch plate due to inertial forces created
during a vehicle accident, such as a vehicle roll-over. The latch
plate can only be released by manual operating one or more release
buttons which cause the simultaneous movement of the latching
mechanism in opposite directions relative to one another to
positions wherein the locking tongs of the latch plate are no
longer engaged.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Body restraint systems including seat belts, lap belts,
shoulder harnesses and the like have been credited with saving
numerous lives which otherwise would have been lost in vehicular
accidents. The positive benefits obtained due to body restraints
systems has been so recognized that, in the United States, the use
of seat belts is mandated in all states.
[0006] Since their inception, there have been numerous innovative
advances made to improve upon the safety and reliability of vehicle
body restraint systems. Improvements have been made to the belt and
belt materials, the manner in which the belt restraint systems are
mounted within vehicles, the manner in which such restraint systems
may be automatically adjusted to provide proper tension to suit not
only safety standards but to also provide for a measure of
passenger comfort and further to improve upon the security of the
locking devices and belt buckles associated with such systems.
[0007] Most conventional vehicle body restraint systems incorporate
a belt which either crosses in front of the lap or diagonally
across the body of the vehicle operator or passenger in such a
manner as to not adversely interfere with a region of an
individual's neck. Belts are retained by latching assemblies
including belt buckles into which latch plates carried by the belts
can be inserted so as to automatically become locked to the buckles
which are normally anchored relative to vehicle frames.
[0008] Conventional systems generally utilize two types of release
mechanisms for allowing latch plates to be removed from buckle
housings such that drivers and passengers can disembark vehicles. A
first or side release system includes an operating release button
which is generally resiliently urged outwardly at an angle which is
perpendicular to an axis or line of insertion of the latch plate
into a buckle housing. A second type of conventional release system
is known as an end release system and includes an operating lever
or button for releasing the latch plate from the buckle housing and
which lever is mounted at an end of the buckle housing.
[0009] Currently, virtually all types of latching mechanisms for
body restraint systems in automotive vehicles are subject to
premature release when subjected to at least one mode of inertial
force which can be created under various conditions resulting from
collisions, rollovers and other types of loss of vehicle control.
Side release latching assemblies or mechanisms, referred to as Type
1 and Type 6 in the industry, will inertially release when
subjected to lateral forces which are applied to a backside of a
buckle during a vehicle collision or rollover. Such latching
assemblies will also release by the release buttons being forceably
engaged by an object in a vehicle accidently depressing the buttons
during an accident, collision or rollover, thereby prematurely
destroying the effectiveness of the restraint systems which can
cause severe or deadly injury to persons using the systems.
[0010] By way of example, if a person's hip strikes the backside of
a buckle frame during an accident, the interior latch which engages
a latch plate of a seat belt can and will release when the striking
force level is sufficient to cause the inertia of the latch mass,
relative to the acceleration and displacement of the buckle frame,
to compress a leaf spring and unlatch the buckle.
[0011] End type release latching systems will inertially release
due to the mass of the release buttons associated therewith when
taken into consideration the mass of movement of the latch plate
and the direction of rotational release of the latch plate when
subjected to an upward or upward and lateral force opposite the
locking direction of a latch dog associated with such a mechanism,
especially during vehicle rollovers. This upward or upward and
lateral mode of failure occurs when an occupant is more apt to be
ejected from a vehicle and thus can result in severe bodily injury
or death.
[0012] An example of end release latching system for seat belts is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,358,879 to Magyar. The system uses a
release button which is pushed down to release the latch plate as
opposed to being pushed laterally as in the side release
systems.
[0013] Virtually all end release buckles, generally referred to as
Type II buckles, operate using an over-the-center mechanism so the
actual latch uses either a fairly weak compression spring or a leaf
spring for a latching force. A so called "lock for the latch" is a
rod or bar that follows an "L" shaped track where the lock bar
moves laterally across the buckle frame in a direction of latch
movement and then moves vertically along a leg of the "L" and
behind the latch after the latch goes over-the-center to its
latched position. This movement supposedly locks the latch from
moving laterally from lateral forces acting on the buckle frame
that would inertially move the latch laterally relative to the
buckle frame.
[0014] However, the end release buckles have a release button,
release slider, lock bar (pin) latch and two compression springs,
all of which have mass. One spring actuates the latch laterally and
the other spring acts against the latch plate to keep a locking
edge in contact with the latch surface or "dog" and applies an
upward force against the release button. This spring also acts to
eject the latch plate from the buckle when the latch button is
depressed and the latch is disengaged.
[0015] When vertical forces, or forces with enough vertical
component on a buckle, such as forces created by impacts to a
bottom of a vehicle in a rollover, are sufficiently high enough,
the buckle latch will release. The design of these buckles is such
that it requires both a vertical (longitudinal) and horizontal
(lateral) component in many cases because the vertically upward
forces causes an equally vertical downward inertial force to the
release button and related component, which causes them to move in
a downward (release) direction due to their mass and acceleration
relative to the buckle frame. When the components of the release
mechanism approach an elbow of the locking "L" slot, the locking
pin or bar follows the path of the slot and releases the latch and
the compression spring against which these inertia forces are
acting, and ejects the latch plate.
[0016] The forces acting on a latch plate/buckle assembly that
create inertia forces in a release direction come from various and
foreseeable sources and directions and always follow Newton's Law.
Some of these are:
[0017] a) vertical to horizontal forces acting on a vehicle and
thus a buckle assembly from impact to the ground during vehicle
rollovers;
[0018] b) vertical to horizontal forces acting on a vehicle and
thus on a buckle assembly from impact to the vehicle from another
vehicle, fixed object or other movable object within a path of the
vehicle;
[0019] c) vertical to horizontal forces acting on a buckle assembly
by objects within the vehicle, such as occupants or loose
objects;
[0020] d) vertical to horizontal forces acting on a buckle assembly
from it being driven into objects within the vehicle, such as a
center console between a driver and a passenger or between vehicle
occupants; and
[0021] e) vertical to horizontal forces acting on a latch plate and
release mechanism mass from impulses resulting from emergency
management loop release as well as harness mounted air bags and the
like where tension on a harness/lap belt webbing is suddenly
tightened or released causing a large, near longitudinal impulse
force into the buckle, latch plate and release mechanism mass
sufficient to cause an acceleration of the mass of the release
mechanism parts to develop an inertia force exceeding a release
mechanism spring force acting against a release mechanism mass.
[0022] A latch plate weighs anywhere from approximately two (2) to
five (5) ounces, depending on whether it is a slip, partial slip or
slip lock latch plate. A weight (mass) of the release components of
the buckle (button, slider, locking pin, etc.) is a fraction of the
latch plate weight.
[0023] The dynamic problem with the end release buckles is that
when there is an upward force or upward component of force acting
on the buckle or a downward impulse from sudden tensile
loading/unloading of seat belt webbing through the latch plate, the
latch plate mass applies a downward inertia force or impulse that
drives an unlatch mechanism downward toward an unlatch position,
accelerating the unlatch mechanism masses downward and thus causing
the latch to release. Any horizontal or lateral force acting on the
buckle frame in an opposite direction to the unlatch direction
compounds the unlatching due to acceleration forces acting on the
buckle frame.
[0024] The above modes of failure are inherent in virtually all
conventional side and end release latching mechanisms of
conventional vehicle restraint systems. The side release buckle
systems are generally simpler and have fewer moving parts and thus
are more economical to construct and to install, whereas the end
release systems are more complex having multiple moving parts and
are thus more expensive to manufacture.
[0025] In view of the foregoing, there remains a need to further
improve upon the reliability and effectiveness of vehicle body
restraint safety belt systems to ensure that the latching
mechanisms associated therewith cannot be accidently released
during substantially any type of vehicular movement including
vehicle rollovers caused during accidents, collisions or resulting
from loss of control of a vehicle, such as by operator error or
vehicle equipment failure. There is a further need to provide for
improvements in vehicle body restraint systems which permit the
latching assemblies to be more reliable and more economical to
construct.
[0026] In applicants aforementioned application Ser. No.
10/462,738, the contents which are incorporated herein in their
entirety herein by reference, a safety belt restraint system is
described which prevents the release of a latching or locking
mechanism of a safety belt restraint system by inertial forces
which may be directed against the latching assembly during a
vehicle accident. In accordance with the invention, each buckle
includes a first latch mechanism including a latch dog which is
engageable within an opening in a latch plate as the latch plate is
inserted within a buckle housing. The latching mechanism is
positively retained in engagement with the latch plate by two
equally resisted and oppositely oriented push button release
mechanisms. The release mechanisms are connected by a resilient
element such as a spring such that any force tending to push one of
the release buttons inwardly of the buckle to effect a release of
the latch plate places an equal and opposite force on the opposite
release button to sustain it in a locked position thereby
preventing release of the latch plate from the buckle. With this
structure, equal and opposite forces must be simultaneously applied
to each of the release buttons in order to cause a camming of the
latch relative to the latching mechanism to thereby permit
withdrawal of the latch. plate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0027] The present invention is directed to body restraint systems
especially adapted for automotive and other vehicles that include
buckles for latching and retaining latch plates mounted to seat or
lap belts of safety harnesses. Two preferred embodiments of the
invention are disclosed. In each embodiment, once a latch plate has
been inserted within a buckle, the latch plate is engaged by
latching mechanisms which are equally positively biased in opposite
directions. In this manner, if there is an application of force to
either latching mechanism in a direction to move it from a locked
position, engaging the latch plate, to an unlocked position, to
release the latch plate, an opposite and equal force will be
directed to the opposite latching mechanism to retain the opposite
latching mechanism in engagement with the latch plate. In both
embodiments, release of the latch plates from the buckles is only
possible by the simultaneous movement of the oppositely biased
latching mechanisms in a direction toward one another. Thus, both
latching mechanisms cannot be simultaneously released by the
application of inertial forces which may be applied against the
buckles.
[0028] The safety belt assemblies of each of the restraint systems
are each provided with a latch plate having a pair of forwardly
extending hooked locking tongs which are receivable within a buckle
upon insertion of the latch plate. The tongs are designed to
moveably engage the oppositely biased latching mechanisms during
latch plate insertion such that lock dogs associated with each
latching mechanism engage the hooked ends of the locking tongs to
thereby prevent removal of the latch plate.
[0029] In each embodiment of the invention, the pair of latching
mechanisms are slidable mounted within the buckle and are biased by
a resilient element or spring which extends therebetween and which
normally urges the latching mechanisms to their outermost or first
locking positions wherein they positively engage and retain the
locking tongs of the latch plate. Further, each embodiment also
includes at least one manually operated release mechanism which is
effective to simultaneously urge each of the oppositely biased
latching mechanisms toward one another to a second release position
wherein the latch dogs associated therewith are withdrawn from
engagement with the locking tongs of the latch plate such that the
latch plate may be withdrawn from the buckle.
[0030] In a first of the embodiments, each of the latching
mechanisms is in the form of a slide block which are both mounted
within a channel defined between two fixed guide members which are
secured within a buckle housing. The buckle housing includes a
cover having openings formed in an upper area thereof and generally
adjacent each of opposite side edges thereof in which a pair of
push button members are engageably oriented. The cover protects
accidental movement or engagement of the push buttons by generally
extending slightly above each of the push buttons but allows the
push buttons to be engaged so that they may be squeezed together by
manual manipulation.
[0031] The push buttons are secured to the oppositely biased slide
blocks of the oppositely biased latching mechanisms so that the
latching mechanisms are directly operable in response to the
application of force to the push buttons.
[0032] With the first embodiment of the invention, there are only
three moving components associated with the locking assembly. Each
of the two slide blocks of the oppositely oriented latching
mechanisms are formed as a single piece having oppositely oriented
guide prongs which extend into slots in each of the fixed guide
blocks mounted within the buckle housing. In this manner, each of
the latching mechanisms is positively guided in reciprocating
motion within the channel between the fixed guide blocks. Because
the guide blocks are both positively biased by an interconnecting
spring, or other resilient element which extends therebetween, an
application of force to one of the push buttons to move it from the
first locked position to the second release position will result in
the application of an equal and oppositely directed force against
the other latching mechanism to retain it in its first locked
position, thus preventing release of the latch plate from the
buckle. only upon the simultaneous squeezing of the push buttons
toward one another can the latch mechanisms be moved simultaneously
to their second release positions wherein both are pushed against
the force being applied by the intermediate spring. Once both of
the latch mechanisms are moved to their second release positions,
the latch plate may be easily withdrawn from the buckle housing.
Upon release of the push buttons, the resilient element within the
buckle will urge the latching mechanisms to their first locked
position.
[0033] In the second embodiment of the invention, the latching
mechanisms are also in the form of slide blocks which are
positively guided between a pair of fixed guide blocks which define
a channel therebetween in which the latching mechanisms are
reciprocally moveable against a spring or other resilient element
which extends therebetween so as to apply equal and opposite
biasing force against each latching mechanism. Each of the slide
blocks of the latching mechanisms also includes a lock dog which is
engageable with the hooked tongs of the latch plate when the latch
plate is inserted within the buckle housing to thereby retain the
latch plate in a locked position. The slide blocks further include
tapered camming surfaces which extend inwardly toward a central
longitudinal axis of each buckle housing from the lock dogs toward
the opposite end of each slide block. Each slide block is also
positively guided by having tabs which extend within slots formed
in the opposing guide blocks.
[0034] In the second embodiment of the invention, instead of using
a pair of manually operable push buttons to create an equal and
opposite force to move the latching mechanisms from their first
locked position to their second release position, a single
longitudinally slidable release button is used. In this embodiment,
the release button is integrally formed with and extends upwardly
from a rear portion of a slide release member which is preferably
formed of a durable plastic material such as a high density
polyethylene (HDPE). The body of the slide member is of a size to
be guidingly received within a pair of channels formed by an inner
frame of the buckle. Guide slots are provided in opposite sidewalls
of the slide member in which guide pins extending through the frame
of the buckle extend so as to positively retain and guide the slide
member in a reciprocating motion within the frame along a direction
which is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the buckle. The
forward end of the slide member includes two spaced legs which are
designed to cooperatively engage the camming surfaces associated
with each of the slide blocks. To release the latching mechanisms
from engagement with the locking tongs of the latch plate, the push
button is manually engaged to urge the slide member inwardly of the
buckle housing wherein the legs will engage the camming surfaces of
the slide blocks thereby simultaneously urging them toward one
another against the spring or other resilient element extending
therebetween, thereby moving the latching mechanisms to their
second release positions.
[0035] The push button is normally urged to a first position
wherein the legs associated therewith apply no force on the
latching mechanisms. A spring extends from a portion of the slide
member intermediate the legs to engagement with one of the guide
blocks. Further, in the present embodiment, at least one kick-out
spring is mounted within the buckle housing to one of the fixed
guide blocks and is engageable with the latch plate as the latch
plate is inserted within the buckle housing. The kick-out springs
provide force to automatically eject the latch plate from the
buckle housing when the slide member of the manual push button is
moved inwardly of the housing to effect a release of the latch
plate.
[0036] In the second embodiment, the latch plate may also include a
tang which extends intermediate the locking tongs. The tang is
designed to be selectively receivable within a slot in one of the
fixed guide blocks. However, the tang is designed to move through
the slot and into the guide channel and between the two latching
mechanisms so as to block movement of the latching mechanisms
toward one another and thereby prevent the release of the latch
plate if inertial forces are applied against the buckle which are
sufficient to force the release button toward a release position
without conscious application of a sliding manual force. The
central tang therefore constitutes an inertia lock for the latching
assembly.
[0037] In a variation of the second embodiment of the invention,
the inertia lock for blocking movement of the two latching
mechanisms toward one another is formed separately of the latch
plate. In some instances, forces applied to a safety belt secured
to the latch plate may be such as to prevent effective movement of
the inertia lock tang formed integrally with the latch plate.
Therefore, in the variation, the inertia lock moves freely of the
safety belt and is thus not influenced by forces on the belt. the
separate inertia lock includes a body which is normally resiliently
urged away from the slot in the one fixed guide block. A tang
extends from the body and into the slot and is of a length such
that the tang will penetrate through the slot and into a blocking
position between the latching mechanisms when inertial forces are
applied to the buckle which are sufficient to normally urge the
release button toward a release position without application of
manual force. When forces tending to move the release button to a
release position are removed, the separate inertia lock will
automatically be resiliently moved to a non-blocking position.
[0038] It is the primary object of the present invention to provide
safety restraint systems for use with lap and shoulder belts
associated with vehicles which include buckles having latching
mechanisms which can not be released by inertial forces applied to
the components thereof such as caused during vehicle accidents,
including rollovers.
[0039] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
latching and locking mechanisms for seat belt restraint systems
which are operative in accordance with Newtonian Laws of Physics to
the effect that for every action there is an equal and opposite
reaction so that a latch plate of one of the systems can not be
released from a buckle unless oppositely directed forces are
applied to oppositely biased latching mechanisms associated with
each restraint system.
[0040] It is also an object of one of the embodiments of the
present invention to provide latching and locking mechanisms for
seat belt restraint systems wherein an inadvertent or accidental
application of force to one of a pair of release push buttons
associated therewith cannot cause the premature release of a latch
plate and wherein such accidental application of force in effect
supplies a greater force to insure that one of the two latching
mechanisms associated therewith is retained in a locked
position.
[0041] It is another object of the present invention to provide
non-inertial release restraint buckles for use in seat belt
restraining systems of the type used in automotive vehicles and the
like wherein latching mechanisms associated with each buckle are
structured from a minimal number of moving components to thereby
reduce the risk of component failure while decreasing manufacturing
costs.
[0042] It is another object of the invention to provide latching
and locking mechanisms for seat belt restraint systems wherein,
when inertial forces are applied against the latching and locking
mechanisms which would tend to cause a release of a latch plate
from a buckle housing without conscious application of manual
force, the latching mechanisms will be automatically blocked from
moving to release positions, regardless of forces applied against
the latch plate by an attached seat belt, so that premature
unlocking of the restraint systems is not possible.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0043] A better understanding of the invention will be had with
respect to the two embodiments disclosed and with reference to the
attached drawings:
[0044] FIG. 1 is a perspective illustrational view of a first
embodiment of the invention wherein a latch plate connected to a
conventional seat belt is secured within a buckle which is anchored
relative to a vehicle by a conventional anchor belt;
[0045] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the latch plate
being released upon the simultaneous movement of opposing release
buttons toward a central longitudinal axis of the buckle;
[0046] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the buckle assembly of the
first embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein
the outer housing of the buckle has been removed to show the
operative components associated with a latching assembly;
[0047] FIG. 4 is a view taken from the right side of the embodiment
shown in FIG. 3;
[0048] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the embodiment shown
in FIG. 3;
[0049] FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 3;
[0050] FIG. 7 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 3 except showing
the oppositely biased latching mechanisms moved to a second release
position to permit withdrawal of the latch plate;
[0051] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of
FIG. 3;
[0052] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of
FIG. 3;
[0053] FIG. 10 is a top cross-sectional view of the embodiment
shown in FIG. 3 with the latch plate being removed from the buckle
housing;
[0054] FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the buckle housing of FIG.
10;
[0055] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of
FIG. 10;
[0056] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of
FIG. 10;
[0057] FIG. 14 is a partial illustrated view of a second embodiment
of the invention shown with a seat belt assembly with a latch plate
of the seat belt locked within a buckle;
[0058] FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14 with the latch plate
released from the buckle by movement of a slide release member;
[0059] FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the buckle of FIG. 14 with the
buckle housing or cover removed for clarity;
[0060] FIG. 17 is a right side view of the embodiment of FIG.
14;
[0061] FIG. 18 is a front elevational view of the embodiment of
FIG. 14;
[0062] FIG. 19 is a rear elevational view of the embodiment of FIG.
14;
[0063] FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 16 showing the latching
mechanisms moved to a release position to permit removal of the
latch plate of the seat belt of FIG. 14;
[0064] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 21-21 of
FIG. 16;
[0065] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 22-22 of
FIG. 16.
[0066] FIG. 23 is a top cross-sectional view of the embodiment of
FIG. 20 with the latch plate and release slide member removed;
[0067] FIG. 24 is a top cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 16
showing movement of an intermediate tang of the latch plate to
block movement of the latching mechanisms when an inertial force is
applied to urge the release slide member to an unlocked
position;
[0068] FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 25-25 of
FIG. 23;
[0069] FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 26-26 of
FIG. 16;
[0070] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the guide blocks and
latching mechanisms of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14-26;
[0071] FIG. 28 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 20 showing
a variation of inertia lock for blocking movement of the latching
mechanisms wherein the lock is in a first non-blocking position;
and
[0072] FIG. 29 is a view similar to FIG. 24 showing the variation
of FIG. 28 wherein the inertia latch has been moved to a blocking
position to prevent release of the latching mechanisms.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0073] With continued reference to FIGS. 1-13 of the drawings
figures, the first embodiment of non-inertial release restraint
buckle of the present invention is shown as used with a seat belt
restraint system in an automotive vehicle. The restraint system
includes a seat belt 30 in the form of a harness and lap belt that
is mounted to a latch plate 32 that is specifically designed to be
cooperatively used with a buckle 34. The latch plate 32 includes a
body portion having an open slot 33 therein through which the belt
extends and also includes a pair of forwardly extending locking
tongs 35 and 36 which are spaced from one another. Each locking
tong includes a hooked portion 37 and 38, respectively, for
purposes of cooperating with locking elements of the buckle 34. As
shown, the end portion of each of the tongs 35 and 36 is tapered
for purposes which will be described in greater detail
hereinafter.
[0074] The buckle 34 includes an outer housing 40 which
substantially covers a metallic frame 41 one end of which is
connected to the vehicle by way of an anchoring belt 42. the buckle
includes an opening 44 at one end for receiving the latch plate 32.
The upper portion 45 of the housing is shown as being slightly
convex or dome shape in configuration having a pair of opposing
openings 46 and 47 therein adjacent opposite side walls thereof.
Extending into the openings but generally not above the upper wall
45 are a pair of manually engageable levers or push buttons 50 and
51. The operation of the push buttons will be described in greater
detail with respect to drawing FIGS. 3-13.
[0075] With reference to FIGS. 4-6, the configuration of the
housing is such as to prevent accidental engagement of the push
buttons 50 and 51 during normal use of the seat belt 34. It is
sufficient that the housing extend slightly above the push buttons
50 and 51 so that the push buttons may be engageable by an
individual to squeeze them toward one another but such that the
buttons cannot be engaged by objects sliding across the surface of
the housing.
[0076] With respect to drawing FIGS. 3 and 7-13, the interior of
the buckle and the latch plate are generally shown with the housing
40 being removed for purposes of clarity. As previously described,
the present invention is directed to a restraint system which
includes oppositely biased latching mechanisms. With respect to
FIG. 3, the latching mechanisms 53 and 54 are in a form of slide
blocks which are mounted within a channel 55 defined between two
fixed guide blocks 56 and 57. The guide blocks are fixedly secured
to the frame 41 of the buckle by rivets or suitable fasteners 58
which are shown in FIG. 11 extending through the bottom 59 of the
buckle frame 41.
[0077] With specific reference to FIGS. 7, 12 and 13, the opposing
inner faces of each of the guide blocks 56 and 57 includes a pair
of spaced slots 61 and 62 in which are received guide members or
tabs 63 and 64 which extend from opposite sides of each of the
latching mechanisms 53 and 54, respectively. The guide members 63
and 64 associated with each of the latching mechanisms prevent
displacement of the latching mechanisms relative to the channel 55
defined between the guide blocks 56 and 57. In FIG. 7, the
positioning of the guide members within the slots 61 and 62 is
shown in dotted line.
[0078] With reference to FIG. 3, each of the latching mechanisms 53
and 54 includes an opening 66 and 67, respectively, in which are
seated opposite ends of a spring 68 which is mounted so as to apply
a biasing force to urge the latching mechanisms in opposite
directions toward sidewalls of the buckle. As shown, the spring is
directly connected between the slide mechanisms such that any force
which would move one latching mechanism toward the other will cause
an equal and opposite force against the opposite latching
mechanism.
[0079] As shown in FIG. 7, the push buttons 50 and 51 are directly
mounted to the upper walls of each of the latching mechanisms such
as by press fitting within openings (not shown). Each button is
generally in the form of a somewhat concave lever which is of a
configuration to cooperatively received the tip of an individuals
finger or thumb to facilitate movement of the latching mechanisms
as will be described in greater detail.
[0080] Also mounted within the buckle housing and to the buckle
frame 41 is a guide plate 70 which is fixedly secured by
appropriate fasteners, such as rivets or screws 71, see FIGS. 10
and 11. The plate generally extends about the guide blocks 56 and
57 to provide a supporting surface for the tongs 35 and 36 of the
latch plate 32 as is shown in FIG. 9. Therefore, a guide channel 72
is defined between the guide plate 70 and an upper wall defined by
inwardly extending flanges 73 and 74 of the frame as shown in FIGS.
12 and 13.
[0081] To engage the latch plate as it is being inserted within the
housing of the buckle as shown in FIG. 3, each locking mechanism 53
and 54 includes a tapered outer wall as shown at 76 and 77 which
cooperates with the end portions of the tongs 35 and 36 of the
latch plate to thereby push the latch mechanisms inwardly to permit
passage of the hooked ends of the latch tongs. The beveled outer
edges of each of the latching mechanisms also terminate in lock
dogs 78 and 79, see FIG. 10, which engage with the hooked ends 37
and 38 of the latch plate when the latch plate is fully seated
within the buckle housing. At this point, the spring 68 will
automatically urge the latch mechanisms 53 and 54 into their first
locked position as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings.
[0082] To release the latch plate from the buckle of the present
embodiment, equal and opposite forces must be applied to the push
buttons 50 and 51 to urge them together against the force of the
spring 68. When pressure is applied equally to the push buttons,
the latching mechanisms 53 and 54 are moved inwardly to their
second or release positions which are shown in FIG. 7 of the
drawings, at which time the latch tongs are no longer restrained
and the latch plate is free to be released from the buckle housing.
Once the latch plate has been removed, the latching mechanisms 53
and 54 will be urged outwardly again to their first locking
position.
[0083] Because of the common bias against each of the latching
mechanisms 53 and 54, if a force is applied to urge one of the
latching mechanisms to its second release position, an equal and
opposite force will be directed against the opposing latching
mechanism thereby retaining it with greater force in its first
locking position. Therefore, in the event of a vehicle accident
wherein inertial forces are directed to the components of the
buckle, at least one of the latching mechanisms will retain its
engagement with the corresponding tong of the latch plate until the
latching mechanisms are intentionally moved together by manual
force. Thus, the restraint system is such that it will not allow a
release of the latch plate by inertial forces being applied thereto
which often is the case in certain vehicular accidents.
[0084] To further assist in the removal of the latch plate from the
buckle housing, as shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to place a
kick-out spring 80 between the guide block 57 and the body of the
latch plate such that the spring automatically forces the latch
plate from the buckle housing when the latching mechanisms are
moved to their second release positions.
[0085] With specific reference to FIGS. 14-26 a second embodiment
of the invention is disclosed in greater detail. In this
embodiment, the buckle 100 is shown as having a metallic frame
member 101 having an opening for receiving an anchoring belt 102.
Mounted about the frame 101 is a housing 103 having an opening 104
on the front end thereof for receiving a latch plate 105. The latch
plate may be similar to the one disclosed with respect to the first
embodiment or may be a variation as shown at 105. In this
embodiment, the latch plate includes a body portion 106 having a
slot in one end for receiving a seat or harness belt 107
therethrough. The latch plate includes a pair of forwardly
extending tongs 108 and 109 each of which includes a hooked end
portion 110 and 111, respectively. As shown, the tongs are spaced
from one another and an intermediate tang member 114 extends
therebetween but terminates short of the end portions thereof.
[0086] With specific reference to FIGS. 16-22, the buckle frame 101
includes a pair of generally u-shaped sidewall channel portions 115
and 116 which define a slide channel 118 in which the latch plate
105 is slidably received. In FIGS. 16 and 20-26, the buckle housing
103 has been removed for purposes of clarity.
[0087] As with the previous embodiment, the latching mechanisms of
the buckle of this embodiment are also designed to prevent release
of the latch plate brought about by inertial forces being directed
against the buckle. In this respect, the present invention also
includes a pair of oppositely biased latching mechanisms 120 and
121 which are interconnected by a spring or other resilient element
124 which is mounted within openings 125 and 126 in the latch
mechanisms. The latch mechanisms slide within a channel 128 defined
between the fixed guide blocks 129 and 130 which are secured by
screws or rivets as described with respect to the previous
embodiment. Each latching mechanism includes oppositely oriented
tabs 131 which are guiding received within spaced slots 133 in each
guide block, See FIGS. 23 and 25. The outer ends of each of the
guide blocks are tapered generally as shown at 132 in FIG. 16 for
purposes of guiding a release mechanism as will be described in
greater detail. the latching mechanisms and guide blocks are shown
removed from the buckle in FIG. 27.
[0088] The outer edges of each of the latch mechanisms 120 and 121
are tapered at 135 and 136, respectively, so that the. latch
mechanisms may be biased by engagement with a release member, as
will be described, so as to be moved from their outermost, first
locking position, shown in FIG. 16, inwardly toward one another to
innermost second or release positions, as shown in FIG. 20, against
the force of the spring member 124. The tapered surfaces 135 and
136 terminate at edges or lock dogs 137 and 138, see FIGS. 23 and
27.
[0089] Although the present embodiment of the invention relies upon
the same laws of physics in order to prevent non-inertial release
of the latching mechanisms associated therewith, the latching
mechanisms are manually controlled by a single slide element as
opposed to two opposing push buttons, as previously described. In
the present embodiment, a slide release member 140 is provided
which is slidingly seated within the channel 118 of the buckle
frame and within the channels defined by the sidewalls 115 and 116
of the frame.
[0090] The slide member is preferably formed of a plastic material
such as a high density polyethylene material (HDPE) and includes a
body portion having an integrally formed push button 142 extending
upwardly from one end thereof as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. The
opposite end of the slide member includes a pair of projections 143
and 144 each having outer ends 145 and 146, respectively. The ends
145 and 146 are designed to engage with the tapered sidewalls 135
and 136, respectively, of the latching mechanisms 120 and 121. In
this manner, when the slide member is in a first position as shown
in FIG. 16, the projections 143 and 144 are spaced from the
latching mechanisms such that the latching mechanisms are retained
in their first locking position. However, when the slide member is
moved by engaging the push button 142 inwardly of the buckle
housing to a position as shown in FIG. 20, the ends 145 and 146
engage the latch mechanisms and simultaneously urge them inwardly
to their second or release positions to thereby release the latch
plate 105 from engagement therewith. The slide release member is
positioned above the latch tongs as shown in FIG. 20.
[0091] The release member 140 is normally retained in its first
position by a spring element 150 having one end seated within a
opening 151 in the guide block 130 and an opposite end seated
within an opening (not shown) of the release slide member which is
intermediate the projections 143 and 144, see FIGS. 22 and 26.
Therefore, movement of the slide release member is normally
resisted by the spring element 150.
[0092] Also mounted in spaced openings 152 in the guide block 130
is a pair of kick-out springs 155 which are engageable with an edge
portion of the latch plate when the latch plate is fully seated
within the buckle housing as shown in FIG. 16. Upon release of the
latch mechanisms by moving them to their second release position,
the kick-out springs 155 will automatically push the latch plate
from the buckle housing.
[0093] To positively guide the slide release plate relative to the
channel members associated with the buckle frame 101, the slide
member has a pair of slots 160 in each of the opposing sidewalls
thereof, see FIGS. 16 and 21. Guide rivets or other elements 164
extend through the frame and serve as guide pins which ride in the
slots 160 thereby preventing displacement of the slide member
relative to the frame during its reciprocating motion relative
thereto.
[0094] As previously described, the present embodiment may be used
with a latch plate similar to the one disclosed with respect to the
first embodiment. However, due to the single release slide plate
140 associated with this embodiment, the latch plate may be
modified as previously described to include a central tang 114. The
tang 114 is designed to extend slightly into a channel 170 which is
provided completely through the guide block 130 so that the channel
communicates with the channel 128 in which the latching mechanisms
120 and 121 are slidably disposed. In the event any inertial force
is applied against the buckle assembly which would tend to drive
the release slide plate 140 to a position to move the latching
mechanisms to their second release position, the same force will be
concurrently applied to the latch plate forcing it inwardly of the
buckle housing such that the tang 114 passes through the channel
170 and intermediate the latching mechanisms 120 and 121, thereby
effectively blocking the latching mechanisms from moving inwardly
to their second release position, see FIG. 24.
[0095] As the mass of the latch plate is greater than that of the
slide release member, it will move to the blocking position of FIG.
24 more quickly than the slide release 140 can move by inertial
forces to unlock the latching mechanisms. To allow for this
relative movement, the locking tongs 108 and 109 are slightly
longer in length than those of the latch plate disclosed with
respect to the first embodiment to permit the relative movement of
the components within the buckle housing. When an inertial force is
removed, the kick-out springs 155 will immediately drive the
release slide member or plate to its normal position and the hooks
of the latch plate tongs will again engage the lock dogs associated
with the locking mechanisms.
[0096] As shown in FIGS. 18, 19, 23, 25 and 26 the latch plate
normally slides over a spacer plate 172 which is fixedly secured to
bottom wall 174 of the buckle frame 101. The slide release plate
140 is designed to slide relatively above the latch plate within
the opposing side channels 115 and 116 of the side walls of the
buckle frame.
[0097] With specific reference to FIG. 17, the outer housing 103 of
the buckle 100 includes a flared or domed section 180 adjacent the
opening 104 in which the latch plate is received. The dome section
180 extends slightly above the raised push button portion 142 of
the release slide plate 140 to provide clearance for the push
button as it is moved from its outer position to an innermost
releasing position. The dome section also provides protection for
the push button and prevents inadvertent or accidental actuation of
the push button.
[0098] With respect to the second embodiment of the invention,
under some conditions when inertial forces are directed against the
buckle which would tend to drive the-push button toward a release
position, other forces may be applied against a seat belt connected
to the latch plate that could prevent the tang 114 of the latch
plate from moving to the position shown in FIG. 24 to block release
of the latching mechanisms. In this respect, a variation of the
second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 28 and 29 which is specifically
designed to insure blocking of the latching mechanisms regardless
of any tensional forces applied to the seat belt connected to the
latch plate. In this variation of belt buckle assembly, the
components having the same function have the same reference number.
However, the latch plate 200 does not include a central tang, such
as shown at 114 in the first variation of the second embodiment.
The latch plate 200 is similar to the one disclosed with respect to
the first embodiment and includes a body 206 having a slot 207 in
therein for receiving a seat or harness belt. The latch plate also
includes a pair of forwardly extending tongs 208 and 209 each of
which includes a hooked end portion 210 and 211, respectively, for
cooperatively engaging oppositely biased latching mechanisms 121
and 120. The latching mechanisms are guided between guide blocks
129 and 130 and guide block 130 has a slot 170 which communicates
with the guide channel 128 in which the latching mechanisms are
movably mounted.
[0099] A slide release member 140 is provided which is slidingly
seated within channel 118 of the buckle frame 101. The body of the
release member 140 includes a push button 142 and projections 143
and 144 having ends 145 and 146, respectively, for engaging tapered
sidewalls 135 and 136 of the latching mechanisms 120 and 121.
Mounted beneath the release member 140 is an inertial slide lock
220 which is generally "T-shaped" having a body portion 222 from
which extends a central tang 225. The tang 225 is slidably received
within the slot 170 of guide block 130 and is guided by a pin 226
which extends through the block 130 and into a slot 228 in the tang
225, as shown in FIG. 28.
[0100] The inertial lock 220 is biased away from the guide block
130 by a pair of springs 230. When a force is applied to the buckle
200 which would tend to drive or urge the slide release member 140
inwardly of the buckle housing which could cause a release of the
latching mechanisms 120 and 121, the same force will drive the
inertial lock 220 to move against the springs 230 such that the
tang 225 extends into the guide channel 128 and between the
latching mechanisms 120, as shown in FIG. 29, thereby preventing
the latching mechanisms from moving inwardly towards one another to
release the latch plate 200. Thus the inertial lock 220 prevents
the inadvertent release of the latch plate by inertial forces
directed inwardly of the buckle housing.
[0101] The two lock springs 230 create a force such that any
inertial force against the inertia lock is always greater than a
force required to depress the release member 140. Preferably, the
resulting inertial force operating on the inertial lock will be at
least twice the force acting on the release member. As soon as
inertial forces are dissipated, the springs 230 will urge the
inertial lock to the position shown in FIG. 28.
[0102] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the
invention has been presented to illustrate the principles of the
invention and not to limit the invention to the particular
embodiment illustrated. It is intended that the scope of the
invention be defined by all of the embodiments encompassed within
the following claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *